The fire was just north of the west forwarding yards -- near the west end of Bailey Yard. The fire was contained to a large pile of discarded ties, apparently accidently started by a contractor who had been using a cutting torch to remove metal plates from the ties, Cpt. Jeff Hankla of the North Platte Fire Department.

North Platte firefighters arrived on the scene about 4 p.m. and had the flames knocked down by 6:15 p.m. They stayed on the scence until about 8:30 p.m.

Hankla said the pile of ties was about 30-feet wide, 75-feet long and six-feet tall. Firefighters were able to contain the damage to about one-third of the pile. The wind was favorable, Hankla said.